Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s late husband’s lawyers sue the golf course where he suffered a horrific fall that left him paralysed until his death

John Kennerley became paralysed aged 75, when he slipped off balcony at club

Lawsuit seeking unspecified damages, costs and interest against the company

Veteran TV host says lawsuit is part of ongoing battle with insurance company

By Kelsey Wilkie For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:43 BST, 26 June 2019 | Updated: 01:45 BST, 26 June 2019

Lawyers representing Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s late husband have launched a lawsuit against the golf course after he became paralysed from a devastating fall.

John Kennerley was 75 when he slipped off a balcony at a Coffs Harbour golf resort in March 2016 and became paralysed.

His wife has spent the past three years as his primary carer as he was unable to feed himself or talk.

Lawyers representing Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s late husband John Kennerley (both pictured) have launched a lawsuit against the golf course after he became paralysed from a devastating fall

John Kennerley became paralysed aged 75, when he slipped off a balcony at a Coffs Harbour golf resort in March 2016

The lawsuit, which is seeking unspecified damages, costs and interest against the Bonville International Golf Club, is part of an ongoing battle with insurance companies, the veteran TV host said

The club has denied any fault and said the risk of harm was obvious and inherent and no duty of care was owed to the plaintiff

The lawsuit, which is seeking unspecified damages, costs and interest against the Bonville International Golf Club, is part of an ongoing battle with insurance companies, the veteran TV host told The Daily Telegraph.

‘Whatever the circumstances are for an accident, for any insurance company to drag something out for almost three-and-a-half years is ­despicable.’

Mr Kennerley died February this year – five months after the lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court. It was listed in the court on Monday.

The owner of the club, Iron Hill Management, has denied any fault in the accident on March 6, 2016.

Mr Kennerley had been posing for a photo with his wife when he fell 57cm from the verandah and through a garden bed, according to the statement of claim.

‘(He) arose from his chair, took 1-2 steps back and to his left to stand behind his wife, when his left foot stepped on the edge of the verandah, adjacent to the garden bed, causing him to lose balance and fall,’ the claim said.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley places her hand on the casket following the funeral for her husband John Kennerley at the All Saints Anglican Church in Sydney, on March 11, 2019

Ms Kennerley became John’s primary carer after the accident. He was left unable to feed or talk for three years (pictured is the couple on their wedding day)

‘(He) fell through the garden area and onto the lawn area/ground surface below the garden and as a result suffered injury, loss and damage.’

He was rushed to hospital where he was put in an induced coma, having fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae.

The club claims Mr Kennerley’s injuries were caused by his own negligence.

The defence said the risk of harm was obvious and inherent and no duty of care was owed to the plaintiff.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Bonville International Golf Club for comment.

He was rushed to hospital where he was put in an induced coma, having fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae